Final Answer:
No, the Milgram experiment would likely not have been successful without deception. The use of deception was crucial in preventing participants from altering their behavior based on the true nature of the experiment, which involved testing obedience to authority.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Milgram experiment aimed to investigate the extent to which individuals would obey authority figures, even when instructed to perform actions contrary to their moral beliefs. The use of deception was a key methodological choice to maintain the integrity of the study. If participants had known the true purpose of the experiment, they might have altered their behavior, knowing they were being observed for their response to authority. Deception, in this case, was ethical and necessary for obtaining valid results.
Furthermore, if the true nature of the experiment had been disclosed, participants might have been reluctant to administer what they believed were real and harmful electric shocks. Deception was crucial in creating a psychological environment where participants felt compelled to follow through with the instructions, providing insight into human obedience under perceived authority. Without this element of deception, the experiment's effectiveness in exploring obedience to authority figures could have been compromised.
In conclusion, the success of the Milgram experiment relied heavily on the use of deception. The ethical considerations and the need to create a realistic scenario required researchers to withhold information from participants. Deception was a carefully considered and justified method that allowed the study to delve into the complex dynamics of obedience to authority.